Test your knowledge of voting in New York state: What year in the past 20 years was the peak year for people registered to vote in the state?

If you tried to account for population shifts, voting patterns or ennui, you might be thinking too hard.

While the number of potential voters age 18 and older in New York has shown some minor ups and downs, the peak in the past 20 years was this year, 2018. As of April, a total of 12,396,403 voters are registered — slightly more than the 12,376,815 registered in 2017.

In the past 10 years, much of the growth has been in downstate New York, particularly in New York City and on Long Island. Many upstate counties have seen a decline in registered voters.

Loading...

Have you registered to vote in the general election on Nov. 6? Still plenty of time — the deadline in New York state is Oct. 12.

This Tuesday, Sept. 25, is National Voter Registration Day, with registration events around the country to help people register to vote.

"In our last general election, one in four voters were ineligible due to registration issues, leaving millions left out of the electoral process and unable to get their hands on the levers of democracy," National Voter Registration Day executive director Brian Miller in a statement.

The day got its start in 2012, and 1.6 million voters have registered on that day since.

Loading...

"Hundreds of officials are up for election, and voters have a chance to not only decide how their state is run but how their state is represented at the federal level," Miller said of the midterm elections.

In 2016, about 30 percent of eligible voters in the United States were not registered to do so, according to the Census Bureau.

Registration by the numbers

While the number of voters registered in New York is relatively high, some counties have seen registrations fall off, according to data from the state Board of Elections.

The greatest losses in the 10 years between 2008 and 2018 were in Sullivan (down 15 percent) and Hamilton (down 12 percent) counties. Montgomery, Allegany and Erie counties each lost 7 percent of their registered voter base in the same period.

Some of the areas in the state with the largest percent change in the number of registered voters were Queens, Kings County and the Bronx, each with nearly 20 percent more registered voters; Richmond County now has 17 percent more registered voters.

Sullivan County now has about 14 percent fewer registered voters, and Hamilton County about 12 percent less, than 10 years ago. Some of this is due to a shrinking population across the state.

Choices of political parties have shifted over the 10 years. Statewide, registered Republicans have fallen off 6 percent between 2008 and 2018, while Democrats have gained 14 percent. The number of voters saying they had no party affiliation also increased, by 12 percent. The overall state gain was 9 percent.

The no party affiliation voters have held steady at 20 percent to 21 percent of all registered voters in New York over the past 20 years. This year, Rensselaer County had the highest proportion of non-affiliated voters of any county — 30 percent. Other counties with larger-than-average proportions included Ulster, Dutchess, Suffolk, Columbia and Wayne. Hamilton had the smallest percentage (14 percent) of non-affiliated. Other counties with relatively low percentages were Bronx, Kings, Lewis and Herkimer.

Loading...

Reasons to register

It's your right

If you are a citizen and you are 18, it is your right to vote in the general election.

"Our American election system is designed to give everyone an equal voice at the polls, which is a privilege not enjoyed by millions around the world," said Sen. Fred Akshar, R-Colesville. "I believe it's every U.S. citizen's civic duty to register to vote and be an active participant in our democracy."

It's easier than ever to register

You can register in person at your county board of elections. You can register to vote at the state Department of Motor Vehicles. If you already have state-issued identification, you can register to vote or update your voter information online through its website. You can print the form at the bottom of this article and mail it in to your county board of elections.

In 2017, Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed an executive order directing state agencies to make voter registration forms available in person and via the mail.

"It is our responsibility to make it as easy as possible for people to vote, because that's what democracy looks like," Cuomo said in a statement.

It lets your voice and opinion be heard

If you don't like an elected official, or if you have an issue with how your government is being run, one of the biggest ways a person can have an impact is by going out to vote. If you have an issue with your government, you can hold your elected officials accountable for their actions by voting.

Many people vote only in big elections, like presidential elections. Voting in primaries, and midterm and local elections also impacts who your elected officials are.

“Voting is the first and best way people can make their voices heard," said Broome County Executive Jason Garnar. "Especially in your hometown, elections are won or lost by a handful of votes.”

It's your government

You pay taxes; that means you pay the salaries of the people who hold government offices in your city, your state and the national level of government. You should get a say in how your money is being spent.

"It’s often said that ‘decisions are made by those who show up.’ This is especially relevant as we face the upcoming election," said Assemblywoman Donna Lupardo, D-Endwell. "Election outcomes, at every level of government, affect people’s lives in numerous ways, and many people are starting to realize this.”

Not everyone can vote

People under 18 years old and people who are currently incarcerated for a felony cannot vote. These people have virtually no say in who their elected officials are.

When you vote, you can help decide how much funding public schools and correctional facilities are going to receive. When you vote for elected officials, they help determine how much of their budget is going to fund certain aspects of people's lives.

"If you want your voice heard, and you want to be able to influence how decisions are made, you need a seat at the table," said Binghamton Mayor Richard David. "Decisions are made by people who show up. The only way you can make your voice heard effectively is by not only registering to vote, but actually showing up to vote on election day."

How to register

The general election is Nov. 6. This election will determine which candidates will hold office throughout your city, state and the nation. To vote, you must register by Oct. 12.

You can register in person at your county board of elections, or my mailing in your registration. Mailed-in registrations must be postmarked by Oct. 12, and received by your board of elections by Oct. 17.

"National Voter Registration Day is important because it calls attention to the base truth," Miller said. "Our democracy works best when more Americans can vote, but Americans can't vote unless they are registered."